Battle For The Planet Of The Apes Read Online Free PDF

leader needs. Lisa, my love, my wife, you are important to me—you are the most important thing in my life. But I have a mission with our people. I cannot shirk that responsibility.”
    Lisa did not answer; she just lowered her eyes in sorrow.
    Caesar kissed her. “I will take care, Lisa. I will.”
    Lisa looked up at her husband. Her eyes were moist. “Say good morning to Cornelius, then, but not good-bye. I don’t want him to know that I’m afraid.”
    Caesar smiled and nodded and rubbed her muzzle again in an affectionate chimpanzee kiss. Then he went into his son’s bedroom. Cornelius slept on a raised pallet beside a table; on the table was his favorite pet, a caged squirrel.
    Caesar laid an index finger lightly on Cornelius’ forehead, Cornelius opened his eyes.
    “Cornelius, I’m going on a journey.”
    Drowsily, the little chimp asked, “What will you bring me back?”
    “What would you like?”
    Cornelius pointed at his squirrel, “Some special nuts for Ricky. He’s getting bigger.”
    Caesar smiled affectionately. “So are you.” He touched his son’s face. “One day you’ll be as tall as a king.”

THREE
    The door was impressively stout. Caesar pounded on it loudly. MacDonald and Virgil stood beside him. Caesar pounded again.
    “He’s asleep,” commented MacDonald.
    “Not eternally, I hope,” said Virgil.
    Caesar pounded a third time. Impatiently.
    From behind the door came an ancient voice. “Who knocks?”
    “Caesar.”
    A tiny grille in the center of the door slid back, revealing the wizened face of a very old orangutan with red, rheumy eyes. His voice quavered as he asked, “And what does Caesar want?”
    “Weapons.”
    The old orangutan peered harshly at the three of them. His name was Mandemus. “For what purpose?” he demanded.
    Caesar nudged Virgil at that. Virgil stepped forward. “For self-protection in the pursuit of knowledge.”
    “Self-protection? Self-protection? Against whom or what?”
    “We don’t know,” said Virgil.
    “Hmp,” said Mandemus. “Then what is the point of protecting yourself against a danger of which you have no knowledge while you pursue a knowledge you do not possess?”
    At this, MacDonald rolled his eyes heavenward. “Oh, no!”
    Mandemus continued implacably. “Is this knowledge for good or evil?”
    Virgil answered without hesitation, “All knowledge is for good. Only the use to which you put it can be evil.”
    “The sun is rising,” said Caesar. “I should like to settle this matter before it sets.” He fidgeted impatiently.
    Mandemus protested vehemently. “Caesar, you appointed me not only as the keeper of this armory but as the keeper of your own conscience. That is why I have asked six boring questions. And now I will ask a seventh before I decide whether to issue the weapons you think you require. What is the nature of the knowledge you cannot seek without weapons?”
    MacDonald spoke then. “The knowledge of Earth’s ultimate fate, recorded on tapes in the archives of the Forbidden City . . .”
    Caesar added, “. . . which is contaminated, but may still be inhabited by humans.”
    Mandemus considered this. He chewed it over thoughtfully, pursing his lips and creasing his forehead in concentration. At last he decided. “Come in,” he said. He released the bolt and pushed the heavy door aside for them to enter.
    Inside, there were boxes of weapons and ammunition—all kinds, all sizes, salvaged from the great uprising. They were piled high in crates stacked against the walls—a mountain of madness and savagery that belied the peacefulness of Ape City. The room was lit by flickering lamps; they were upright wicks burning in small bowls of oil. MacDonald flinched when he realized. This armory was an explosion looking for a time to happen. But the apes would rather risk the destruction of their whole city than ever allow electricity to be wired into their homes. Electricity was too much a human thing; the apes identified